Article 171 of CoI : Article 171: Composition of the Legislative Councils.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: The State of Maharashtra is planning to form its Legislative Council.

Application:

1. Total Members Calculation:

   • Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has 288 members.
   • The Legislative Council can have a maximum of one-third of the Assembly members, which is 96 members.
   • However, the minimum number of members in the Legislative Council must be 40.

2. Composition:

   • One-third (32 members) will be elected by electorates consisting of members of municipalities, district boards, and other local authorities.
   • One-twelfth (8 members) will be elected by graduates who have been residents of Maharashtra for at least three years.
   • One-twelfth (8 members) will be elected by teachers who have been teaching in educational institutions within Maharashtra for at least three years.
   • One-third (32 members) will be elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra from among persons who are not members of the Assembly.
   • The remainder (16 members) will be nominated by the Governor of Maharashtra, consisting of persons with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, cooperative movement, or social service.

Example 2:

Scenario: A graduate named Ramesh, who has been residing in Karnataka for the past five years, wants to understand how he can participate in the election of the Legislative Council members.

Application:

1. Eligibility:

   • Ramesh is eligible to vote in the election of the Legislative Council members under clause (3)(b) because he has been a graduate residing in Karnataka for more than three years.

2. Election Process:

   • Ramesh will be part of the electorate that elects one-twelfth of the total members of the Karnataka Legislative Council.
   • The election will be conducted using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

3. Representation:

   • Ramesh, along with other graduates, will vote to elect members who will represent the interests of graduates in the Legislative Council.
   • This ensures that the Legislative Council has members who understand and can advocate for the educational and professional concerns of graduates like Ramesh.

Example 3:

Scenario: The Governor of Tamil Nadu needs to nominate members to the Legislative Council.

Application:

1. Nomination Criteria:

   • The Governor will nominate members who have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, cooperative movement, or social service.

2. Selection Process:

   • The Governor identifies individuals who have made significant contributions in these fields.
   • For instance, Dr. Meera, a renowned scientist, and Mr. Arjun, a social worker with extensive experience in rural development, are nominated to the Legislative Council.

3. Impact:

   • The nominated members bring their expertise and experience to the Legislative Council, enriching the legislative process with their specialized knowledge.
   • This ensures that the Council benefits from diverse perspectives and informed decision-making in various areas of public interest.